Campaign of the Month:
November 2016

X-Com: Defiance

LARP is Hell

Talk about being black-flagged at the last lap! All we needed was to get through one more fragging day! In retrospect, it couldn’t be helped. The other runner team put up one hell of a fight and, well it was better to have kept the twins out of harms way than worry about a con’s reputation.

Hopefully the Mr. Johnson feels the same way.

You haven’t talked to the twins since just after the kidnapping attempt. There were a couple of security suits, (Erin called them Mike and Ike), waiting in your room. You were told flat out by Mike or maybe it was Ike that “Mr. Dreyfuss instructed us to take over from here.”

Great.

The next day, you’re told to report to one of the hotel’s private meeting rooms. Expecting the worst, you enter and see both Gilbertson and Dreyfuss sitting at the head of a large conference table. Both look sullen, but Gilbertson looks more than a bit pissed.

André winces as he lowers himself into a chair. He says, “Another team was hired to snatch your children, sir,” addressing Dreyfuss. “We stopped them.”

“Yeah, they crossed the line first by using real bullets and bugs, lots and lots of bugs.” Zoey adds.“Okay maybe the bugs were magic, but they tasted real!”

Jax smiles sympathetically at the blonde’s comment and turns back to the convention organizer.

“We were hired to protect the Erin and Aaron and make sure they had a good time. Everything had been going well despite several subversive attempts to harm both their enjoyment and their well-being. We were all enjoying the Nexus LARP and the kids were well on their way to winning when one of the teams began using real weapons in an apparent attempt to kidnap them. Unfortunately at that point, decorum and subtlety were in short supply, but the safety of our charges had to come first.”

She turns to Dreyfuss, “I’d also add that your children handled themselves very well in a difficult situation. Without their quick thinking, we may not have been able to defend against such a concerted kidnapping attempt. This was clearly a major effort to disrupt the convention and endanger the children’s lives. It was very wise of you and Mr. Gilbertson to take extra precautions.”

Returning her gaze to the convention organizer, she continues, “We certainly regret the disruption that occurred through our efforts, but the consequences of a kidnapping would surely have been more problematic. At least the majority of the viewers still seem to think that the ‘climactic battle’ was staged with ‘great special effects’. Perhaps with some creative press releases and hints about how much better next year’s event will be, you could even turn this into a positive that would draw in huge crowds.”

The actress sits back and seems content to see if anyone else has anything to say before appearing to think of something else.

“Oh! And you might want to have a closer look at the ‘Interstellar Voyages’ team. I think their leader, Mr. Shatter or something like that, might have been involved in the kidnapping attempt as well. He seemed to have a personal vendetta against our team and the kids.”

After listening to your explanations, his face stone-cold the entire time, Gilbertson looks over his smartglasses and says “I see. Well, I think you realize some of what you’ve done. However, you have made some slight miscalculations.”

He sits forward. “Simply put, it was great! Okay, yeah there was some damage, and some people are still wondering exactly what happened, but the buzz about this being the best Nexus in years is all the rage on the game nets! I’m still not sure how you pulled it off, but everyone thinks this was part of the LARP, and people loved it. I’ve got dozens of new vendors lining up and even a few offers from a couple of the Triple A’s who want to co-sponsor next year!”

At this point Erik Dreyfuss chimes in.

“You may have pushed the line concerning the rules a bit, but you went above and beyond when it came to the more important of the objectives. And besides , I know things never go as planned in the shadows.”

Dreyfuss points behind you, and there stands Erin, dressed in a mane,i-neko (Japanese lucky cat outfit) and Aaron in his typical hoodie. Erin smiles like some anime cartoon while Aaron just flashes a peace sign.

“They both told me how much you went above and beyond,” Erik continues, “and that’s what counts in my book.”

Gilbertson stands, credsticks in hand, and hands them over. “Don’t worry, certain palms over in Lone Star have already been greased and your involvement has been conveniently forgotten.”

Dreyfuss then stands, “Once again, good job and if you are ever in need of a fixer, just give me a call.”

As he leaves the room and his kids start to follow him, Erin turns around and says “I’m going to become a shadowrunner, it’s even cooler than on the show!”

Aaron gives you a “I’ll keep an eye on her” look.

As Aaron exits, you commlinks beep

A message opens saying “I may be a newb, but if you need help in the future, I’ll do what I can. And here’s a little bonus from my sister and I.”